Thomas Simister. InternationalTraveller.

[tom mix]

This started off with an assumption that Thomas was born in England. Because we have a marriage:
Thomas Simister to Ellen Carter 9c 4th qtr 1324A in 1908.

Then we have a migration document:
Thomas & Ellen on board Orsova leaving London for Australia on 25.09.1914.

However a birth for Thomas could not be found in England. ( I hope I am right !!!!)

English Census for 1901 says:
RG 13. Piece 4321. Folio 99 Page 27
A Thomas Simister was living with his parents, but born in Australia.

Checking NSW BDM, I found, a birth.
Thomas Simister 4705/1883 son of Robert & Eliza. Registered in Leichhardt, a Sydney area.
Other children were born in Victoria.

I would like to find out how and why the parents came to Australia and why and when they returned to England.

Tough call but I have faith in the enquiry.

Thomas eventually dies in an accident on Sept 6th 1932 while living in Sydney.

I hope these facts relate to the same person.

Thanks

Alan

[Milliepede]

New South Wales Australia assisted passenger immigrant list has the following in 1883

Ship "Lochee"

Robert Simister 35 bricklayer from Yorkshire
Eliza 25
Emma 4
Harry 2

Arrival date 19 May 1883 - when was Thomas born that year? 

[Milliepede]

The 1901 census in England has a 2 year old daughter Ann born in Australia so they must have returned 1899-1901. 

[ShaunJ]

They arrived in UK on the Omrah in May 1899. "Mr Sinister", wife, and family (including Harry, Thomas, George, Lily and Eliza). The ages of the children seem to have got a bit mixed up in the passenger manifest.

[tom mix]

Thanks for the quick replies. Cant tell you the exact date of Thomas' birth. The NSW certificate has not yet been purchased.

Any suggestions as to what father Robert may have been doing in Australia ? Moving the family from England to Australia and back again seems me a big task around 1899.

Alan

[Ruskie]

It does seem a huge effort to move countries. You would generally expect them to have emigrated for work or “opportunities”, though there could be any number of reasons. As a bricklayer he could have been brought to Australia by an employer to work on a specific project if there was a lack of skilled labour in Australia, and possibly returned at the end of his contract. Perhaps the family simply did not like Australia or were homesick.

Have a look at the family in the 1911 census, which tells you who Robert’s employer is at that time. I can only make out the first word ”Builders” - second word starts with M. I don’t know if it will give you any clues though. It also gives places of birth if you haven’t already found Robert and Eliza’s origins.

Sometimes the immigration document specifies an employer or sponsor. Have you checked the original?

[John Bell]

Baptisms in Leichhardt, Sydney. Anglican Parish Register.

Thomas Simister. Born: 20 August 1883. Baptised: 23 October 1883.
Parents: Robert and Eliza Simister. Marion Street.
Occupation: bricklayer.
By whom the Ceremony Performed: Thomas Holme.

[Aussie1947]

Hi,

1885 Sands Post Office Directory
SIMISTER, Robt, bricklayer, Foster St, Lcdt.

(Probably Leichhardt)

Gerry

[tom mix]

Thanks for the new input. Everything helps paint the picture.
Alan